Australian Trucking Association (ATA) CEO Stuart St Clair has attacked the media for the recent coverage of raids on transport operators, saying journalists "don’t get to decide if people are guilty or not".

Following actions against Lennons Transport Services, Scott’s, Fred’s Interstate Transport and Damorange, St Clair says the ATA has reminded journalists that operators are only guilty when ruled by the courts.

"The media, as we know, turn every minor defect notice into a safety crisis – that’s the way they do their business and sell news," he says.

"They also have a tendency to forget the courts decide whether you’re guilty or not. Police investigation and even the decision to lay charges is only the first step in the process."

St Clair says the industryoperates safer than 30 years ago, with the fatal crash rate for articulated trucks down by 60 percent.

"More broadly, the national road toll is at its lowest since 1940s." he adds.

"Speed limiter tampering is not common place in the industry and needs to be stamped out."